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BMW 5 Series Sport Wagons

292 messages,  Last post on Apr 28, 2007 at 12:40 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Wagon

Messages Page 23 of 30

#219 of 292 Re: not to beat a dead horse.......but [flbchbm #210] by lightcahill

May 21, 2004 (10:44 pm)

Replying to: flbchbm (Mar 01, 2004 9:07 pm)
We have a 1999 528iAT wagon. It has 107,400 miles on it. Many of those miles have been on long distance trips of 3 to 5 k miles. We expect to get 28 mpg on long trips, and often do better. Around town - suburbs, not city, we get about 24 to 26 mpg. Repair cost at the dealer in Kentucky was not outrageous, and we had very little go wrong with it over time. Service and repair costs here in Colorado have been much higher, and will force me to seek an alternative to using the dealer, which has always been the case in the past. $70.00 for an oil change is past the point of being rediculous.
 
Hourly rates at both dealers in KY and CO have been the same for our 528 as for my old 1994 325is coupe. Parts costs may be a bit higher on the 528, but not that I would notice. My old 325is gets well over 30 mpg on trips.
 
Both cars suffer a loss of power when driven in the higher altitude in Colorado. I cannot imagine spending $50,000 for a new 525i wagon and having even less horsepower and torque than I have in the 528. If you are down near sea level it may not be that bad.
 
My wife vetos any new BMW, even if I could afford one, on the basis of the I-drive, and I veto it on the basis of looks. We plan to keep both of our oldies for a long, long time and then buy a ford or chevy when they finally give up the ghost.

#220 of 292 Independent Mechanic In Omaha by tlmmhowell

May 27, 2004 (7:23 am)

Does anyone know of a good Independent mechanic in the Omaha area? My 99 540iTa just went off CPO and I need a good indie. Thanks.
Terry Howell

#221 of 292 Omaha Area Mechanics & BMW CCA Membership Discount by riez

May 27, 2004 (7:44 am)

tlmmhowell... If you find one, let us know. I live in the greater Omaha area and I never found one. This was one reason I traded in my former '98 540i6 right before it went off CPO warranty. Markel BMW is pretty expensive, even with BMW CCA membership. (If you aren't a member, you should join. You'll get a 10% discount on parts.)
 
There is at least one group of independent BMW mechanics that advertise in Roundel (BMW CCA) and Bimmer magazines, but I've never seen an Omaha shop listed.

#222 of 292 CCA Membership - Riez by tlmmhowell

May 27, 2004 (2:55 pm)

Yes, I am a member. I just changed the oil in my 540 and whipped out my card at the parts counter to get the discount. I will do about anything not to give John Markel extra dollars. They treat me like a leper there, because I had the audacity to buy elsewhere. I love my 540iTa, but like you, am nervous about upcoming maintenance.
 
Just to pass along: While at the parts counter, I bought a tube of "rubber care" (Gummi-Pflege) #82149407015. This stuff is great for creaky doors. I'm sure it would work on Lexus autos also! I'm thinking of cooking with it. Take care.
Terry Howell

#223 of 292 3 car seats possible? by calch

Jun 20, 2004 (9:24 pm)

We are looking for a wagon that can accomodate three car seats. On a recent trip to Germany, I saw the new 5 series wagon and it looks great. It looked like the LATCH system is only set up for two seats, although there are seat belts for three people in the back.
Therefore, I was wondering whether anyone has experience with fitting multiple car seats into the 5 series.
Thanks for the help.

#224 of 292 New 5 series wagon in US by calch

Jul 06, 2004 (10:14 am)

Hi everyone,
 
I went to a BMW dealer in SF/Bay area over the weekend to see when the new 5 series wagon will get to the US. The answer was, that the car will not be sold in this country. Something about import quotas. Also called another dealer and was told that there is no scheduled arrival time. Can anyone confirm that there will be no 5 series wagon in the US?
 
Thanks

#225 of 292 Beware Salesperson Trying to Force Sale Today by riez

Jul 06, 2004 (10:58 am)

calch... Was the dealer trying to get you to buy something off his lot today? Sounds like he doesn't want you to wait till the new E60 wagons come out. All reports are there will be 525i and 545i wagons.
 
Wondering if this dealer wants to sell you a used E39 wagon, X3/X5, or 3 Series wagon. They want to sell what they have on hand and will often say anything to generate a sale today.

#226 of 292 Re: Beware Salesperson Trying to Force Sale Today [riez] by uwahusky

Jul 07, 2004 (3:01 pm)

Replying to: riez (Jul 06, 2004 10:58 am)
Yes, that's exactly what the dealer is trying to do, sell you something now.
 
I've had the same experience. Dealer thought by telling me they wouldn't be out this fall that I'd bite on something else but he did confirm they'd be out in the USA in Spring 2005 and I've heard that same thing from multiple sales people and multiple dealerships.
 
Once I told him I wouldn't mind waiting until Spring he game me the hard sell on a X3.

#227 of 292 Re: Beware Salesperson Trying to Force Sale Today [riez] [uwahusky #226] by calch

Jul 12, 2004 (11:36 am)

Replying to: uwahusky (Jul 07, 2004 3:01 pm)
uwahusky,
 
thanks for the info. I hope you are right. When I called a dealer a few months back I got the same answer, only that they promised the cars for this fall.
 
I am not sure the salesperson was trying to switch me to anything else. He said nothing was coming and he did not suggest another BMW. His answers was that for a luxury wagon I would have to go across the street to the MBZ dealer. So unless there were some major mind-games at work, there was not switching effort and I walked right of the lot without him pitching any other cars or any other comments.
Similarly, when I called the other dealer, he did not try to suggest another car. He said he was actually trying to get some used wagons in to cover demand. I know that is another way to get you to buy a new car, but he knew that I did not have a BMW wagon. So again, don't think they are trying to get me to buy another car.
In general, all the dealers I have dealt with in the Silicon Valley area that deal in German luxury cars (BMW or MBZ) have been quite good. Test drove at MBZ and walked right out afterwards, did not have to leave phone number, copy of license or anything else. Did not try to convince me to buy the car after driving it and there were no calls the next day. There was no "what do I need to do to get you into this car today" at any dealer. This was quite different when we were living in the LA area, but here they seem to sell enough cars without trying to force one on you.

#228 of 292 Re: not to beat a dead horse.......but [flbchbm] by cyoung

Jul 14, 2004 (8:21 am)

Replying to: flbchbm (Mar 01, 2004 9:07 pm)
Sorry to jump in so late on this, but I just bought a '99 528iT with 42k miles on it (not a CPO car) from a BMW dealer in Lafayette Indiana. I will be looking for either a dealership I can deal with or an independent BMW mechanic in the western suburbs of Chicago (West Chicago).
 
This car is my first BMW purchase, and hopefully not the last, but we will see how reliable and expensive or inexpensive to own this car it. I love driving it, though! It is Titanium Silver with grey leather, and has the premium and cold weather packages. I am going out right now to install the 6CD changer I just got from eurobuyers, thanks to info I received from this board!
 
One last question - this car has Conti TouringContact CH95 tires on it that appear to be almost new. I have read very mixed reviews as to how these handle winter driving. Is there any consensus on this tire, and what alternatives to it do I have for all-weather driving? This car is more for family use and less for high-speed or performance driving, but driving enjoyment is desirable!

Messages Page 23 of 30

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